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April 24, 2018

A Vow to Accept Me. A Vow to Accept My Dogs.

“Our anniversary is coming up.” “Oh, right.“ Emily replied. “April…26th?” “It’s the 24th this year!” I chided with mock outrage, neglecting to mention I peeked at the framed wedding invitation in our kitchen for the answer. I’m certainly in no position to comment on the finer details of matrimony. When it was time to select a wedding band for myself I opted for a $20 tungsten ring from Amazon. I added it to an order of dog treats and forgot about it until the week of our wedding. At which point I realized that in my haste to give Eko and Penny their new snacks I had thrown out my ring with the shipping box.
“Our anniversary is coming up.” “Oh, right.“ Emily replied. “April…26th?” “It’s the 24th this year!” I chided with mock outrage, neglecting to mention I peeked at the framed wedding invitation in our kitchen for the answer. I’m certainly in no position to comment on the finer details of matrimony. When it was time to select a wedding band for myself I opted for a $20 tungsten ring from Amazon. I added it to an order of dog treats and forgot about it until the week of our wedding. At which point I realized that in my haste to give Eko and Penny their new snacks I had thrown out my ring with the shipping box. I shelled out another twenty for the replacement and ordered some more dog treats for good measure. Luckily I remembered to take the ring out of the box first on the second time around. This is how it has always been for me. I take care of my dogs’ needs before I take care of my own. It is my daily meditation on how loving service to my dogs is also a loving service to myself. Shortly after we got engaged I told Emily that Eko would not be involved in the wedding. Penny Mayhem, in the throes of her wildest phase, was not even mentioned in the conversation. The idea of setting Penny loose in an industrial warehouse filled with antiques was beyond preposterous. We had joked about Eko’s participation in the past, but I wanted to make sure Emily knew the day belonged to her, not our dog. “Are you kidding? He has to be the ring bearer,” she said. As if the thought of anyone else carrying our rings was as preposterous as loosing Penny in amongst the antiques. Acceptance has always been Emily’s greatest loving service. She accepted me when I was lost. She supported me when I wandered in search of myself. And she embraced the fact that the man she agreed to marry was inexorably bound to his dog. When I was ready to deny a part of who I am on her behalf, Emily refused. “Circle of Life” played over the speakers, the congregation turned, and a tuxedoed Eko strutted down the aisle with our wedding rings. Emily knelt to welcome him into her arms, unmindful of her wedding dress. Eko planted a kiss on Emily’s cheek and she smiled, uncaring of her makeup. A symbolic proclamation to the gathered crowd that she intimately knew the fool she was marrying and she accepted all of him. I thanked Emily for her acceptance in my vows. I told her it was that acceptance which gave me the courage to find the man I had become. It was only fitting I held a ring – a symbol of enduring love and acceptance – carried to me by the dog who guided me to that moment. But you cannot possibly know what those rings mean when you place them on each other’s fingers. You cannot be certain how life will challenge those vows and test that bond in dark moments long after the lights from your wedding have dimmed. When I lost Eko, Emily lost me. I’ve written much about my own loss but not enough about Emily’s. The man she married imploded and what remained was a broken and listless man she had never known. While she suffered through morning sickness she also suffered my inability to be the husband I vowed I would be. Emily should have been my only focus during those precious and painful first months of pregnancy, but I could not move on from my loss. She could have demanded I bury the past and focus on the future. She could have expressed righteous indignation at my inability to give her the full love and care she deserved. Instead she offered acceptance. When I rose in the morning darkness to escape the world with Penny, Emily quietly dressed and joined our pilgrimage to the beach. When I cried, Emily held me. And when I came to her with the insane idea of getting another dog just months before her due date, Emily agreed without hesitation. Emily kept her vows even when I couldn’t fulfill my own. She agreed to marry me knowing I was bound to my dog, so she willingly and graciously suffered the consequences of my unbinding. Emily never tried to fix what was broken. Instead she held the pieces of my heart together until I was ready to sort through them. And she knew when that time came it would require the help of a dog. Which is why last Valentine’s Day, a six-months-pregnant Emily could be found trotting a little Ridgeback show pony around the perimeter of puppy class. Sometimes the greatest acts of love seem nearly as ridiculous as the idea of Penny in an antique store. Our hot date concluded with an order of Chipotle takeout. I saved a small portion of meat for Penny and Zero to share. We smiled and laughed and I felt more like myself than I had in a long time. Long before Emily was pregnant I dreamt of our child nestled against Eko. I wanted so desperately for that child to share the comfort of  my dog’s unconditional love. When Eko died, I believed my dream died with him. It still hurts that Lincoln will never rest his head on Eko, but I was wrong about the demise of my dream. Just because life cannot proceed as planned does not mean it cannot proceed. Recently we returned to the old brick building where we were married. This time, instead of flowers, Emily held Lincoln in her arms. She passed him to me and I carried my son down the makeshift aisle where Eko once carried our wedding rings. I felt a renewed gratitude for the woman who accepted the ring, the dog, and the man. Lincoln will have his own opportunities to learn the value of unconditional love as long as we are willing to offer them. I often use this blog to offer that opportunity to him through my dogs. But today I’m reminded my offering to my son is only possible because Emily offers that same opportunity to me. It is a debt I can never truly repay, but I’m grateful for each day I have the opportunity to try. So in the spirit of Emily’s unwavering acceptance, I guess I can accept her egregious sin of getting the date of our anniversary wrong. When it counts, she gets everything right. Happy….*frantically checks wedding invitation*… third anniversary to the bravest woman I know!

Comments for A Vow to Accept Me. A Vow to Accept My Dogs.

  1. Shade and Henry says:

    Beautiful tribute to a beautiful wife, family, and dogs.

  2. Murphy's Law says:

    What a heartwarming tribute to Emily. If that doesn’t say “love”, I don’t know what does! Marriage is filled with unknowns, ups and downs, smooth and rough edges. You and Emily have already conquered some rough patches and you will get through those that have yet to pop up. My husband and I are looking at 57 years come October. Good grief! How time flies. Lincoln adds to the beauty of your marriage and the hairy kids, well they’re the icing on the cake!

    HAPPY THIRD WEDDING ANNIVERSARY and many, many happy, healthy years to come.
    Ginger

  3. Cynthia Marquez says:

    Quite possibly your best ever! Somehow you keep managing to “one-up” each and everytime. I so look forward to your posts.

  4. meANXIETYme says:

    What a loving tribute to your wife. I can understand completely how you feel about her because I feel the same about my husband who intimately knows the phrase “in sickness and in health.”

    We are lucky people.

    <3

  5. KarenS says:

    Happy Anniversary! Marriage isn’t about two people falling in love and sharing a “happily forever life”. It’s about two people falling in love, accepting each other’s faults, needing each other’s strengthens and shared values.

  6. Laura McGrew says:

    Coffee and tears for me this morning. What a beautiful soul you found in your Emily. Just, wow.
    Oh, and Happy Anniversary!

  7. Victoria Coleman says:

    kudos to you for recognizing what a wonderful, loving wife you have and a wonderful family you are raising- and thanks for sharing

  8. Mandy says:

    Aw Happy Anniversary! I really love your writing

  9. Acceptance is one of the best traits a human can practice. And share. Clearly you both have it mastered. Happy Anniversary.

  10. Jovan says:

    Happy Anniversary! Your family is truly blessed, such a wonderful thing to witness through your blogs and videos. Thank you for letting us in.

  11. czechsix says:

    Well said, and Happy Anniversary.

  12. Sharon R says:

    Happy 3rd year – may you all always find acceptance with each other. It is the greatest gift.

  13. Alex says:

    I can so relate to your writings. When I finally married at age 35, I told my future husband that if he was okay with the fact that the dogs came first and always went with us and that I homeschooled my son who was 15, then I was glad to spend the rest of my life with him. He said that was okay because archery came first for him. We have since taken those interests and bonded together for 15 happy years. And we added more dogs and a wonderful daughter.

  14. Kismet says:

    Emily is brave because she puts up with the Penster.

  15. Eve says:

    Happy Anniversary to you both! Remembering is half the fun and when you both forget like we did one year after 3 kids and the passing of our puppy baby (she was 10). It was just another day for us! But to give praise to the other half of yourself is the greatest gift of all!!

    May many more anniversaries come for you and Emily! HUGS for all!

  16. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    Thanks! I’m a lucky guy.

  17. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    If Emily can put up with me for 57 years I think she deserves some kind of nobel prize. Thanks for the encouragement!

  18. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    Thanks! I’m fortunate to have a family that continues to inspire me. As to why they put up with me? Well, that’s anyone’s guess.

  19. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    Wedding’s get labeled as the most important day in a marriage, but I agree. The real important days come afterwards.

  20. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    Exactly. The real work starts after the vows. I’m fortunate Emily has always been pick up the slack for me when I’ve faltered.

  21. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    Thank you! We’ve earned the tears and the smiles born from them.

  22. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    I don’t think I could sort through most things without writing about them, so appreciate you being here to help me figure this all out!

  23. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    Thanks!

  24. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    I’m not sure we ever have anything mastered, but fortunately we’re always willing to work at it.

  25. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    Sharing my thoughts is how I figure out what they are in the first place, so you’re reading is a much appreciated service.

  26. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    Thanks!

  27. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    Thanks! Acceptance meant the world then, but somehow it means even more today. I guess that means our world has grown.

  28. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    All of us come to relationships from different places and with different resumes. What matters is not that we’re perfect, but that we’re willing to work together to help make better versions of ourselves. Sounds like you guys have done just that. It’s what we try to work at every day.

  29. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    There’s a fine line between brave and insane.

  30. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    Thank you! I like to think we forget because our lives our so filled with love! (But yeah, maybe we’re just both a bit forgetful too)

  31. RidgebackLife says:

    Happy Anniversary! Yes, that’s a tear welling up in my eye, but I’m smiling at the same time. I can’t believe it’s been three years already! So much has changed for you and knowing Eko will always be at your side, if he’s not watching over Lincoln, has allowed you to continue to grow. Emily is a wonderful partner and mother; even if she wouldn’t allow you to name your first born after Eko Beautiful tribute to a beautiful person. Best wishes for many more years together.

  32. coastingnz says:

    Yikes!!! Holding back the tears. You got a good one that’s for sure. Happy anniversary guys. Who cares if you don’t remember the exact day – the month and year is right….. lol

  33. Emmadog says:

    Happy Anniversary. You found the perfect person to marry, that is for sure.

  34. Lynne Powers says:

    Happy anniversary! You’ve grown so much! Thanks to Eko, Emily, and life!

  35. Love it. What a guy. What a girl. What a love – yup -the doggies too! Happy Anniversary!

  36. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    Thanks! I feel quite lucky

  37. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    For now, at least. I’m going to have to hold onto that wedding invitation just to make sure!

  38. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    Haha some say she’s wonderful because she didn’t let me name Lincoln after Eko! Though she did potentially offer a middle name…

  39. A very sweet and honest post…..and I really believe that you, Emily, Lincoln and the pups have built a wonderful world around your shared love – a great environment for ALL of you. I know the pain of losing a part of yourself when your beloved pet dies but partings are part of living and you found your way down that path thanks in part to the love and understanding of Emily. May you all have MANY more happy memories to make and anniversaries to remember (or forget!). HAPPY ANNIVERSARY…….

    Hugs, Pam and Teddy too

  40. coastingnz says:

    haha I think it actually gets easier to remember rather than harder as time goes on if that’s any help 🙂

  41. Jo Rhodes says:

    Congratulations friends!
    Love Jo,Sam and Dean

  42. Fran welch says:

    Happy, happy Anniversary to a sweet couple from all I read. Best wishes to you.

  43. Janno says:

    Oh wow! Congratulations! The best people share the same anniversary date – we just celebrated our 25th on the same day! May you and Emily have many happy blessed years together!

  44. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    Thanks! If Emily is still accepting me 22 years from now I’ll feel quite lucky

  45. JenM says:

    The best post you’ve written – and you’ve written some absolutely outstanding posts

  46. oh my how incredibly beautiful, soooo beautiful! I remember when you were getting married and it is so hard to believe it has been 3 years and my God, look at all that has taken place! You are so right that “when it counts, Emily gets everything right.” She is a wonderful wife/person and Will, I KNOW you have to be an amazing husband….Emily wouldn’t have chosen you otherwise! Happy Happy Belated Anniversary to you both, with much love!

  47. Many happy returns of the day to you both!

  48. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    Thanks so much – glad you liked it!

  49. UrbanCollieChick says:

    You two could teach quite a bit about acceptance and getting the difference between what matters and what does not.

    Happy Anniversary!

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